A "Book Connections" Website: A Resource for kids and teachers/Librarians

*Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Palacio, R. J. Wonder. New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 2012. Print.315p.Interest Level: 3-6 Reading Level: 5.1AWARDS/STARRED REVIEWS: Booklist starred 02/01/12, Kirkus Reviews starred 12/15/11, Library Media Connection starred 03/01/12, Publishers Weekly Annex starred 02/20/12, School Library Journal starred 02/01/12INTRODUCTION:August Pullman is getting ready to start his first day of school ever...in 5th grade! He has never attended school before because he has a major facial deformity and many health problems that come along with it. He's a normal 5th grade kid, though - kind of small, kind of geeky (obsessed with Star Wars), hilarious - but his appearance is anything BUT normal. Kids snicker and hide looks of horror behind their hands in the hallways as he walks by. How will Auggie fit in? Will he make any friends? Auggie is such an inspiration to his loving family. Will he inspire the teachers and students at his new school or simply be the class freak, observing on the sidelines and dodging the bullies? Auggie is the definition of EXTRA-ordinary, read about the ups and downs of his 5th grade school year in Wonder by R. J. Palacio.

*WONDER-FUL "Tag" Cloud:

These are themes that occur in Wonder as well as many of theWonderRead-Alikes. Look for these tags after each Read-Alike title summary.

*Booktalk stuff!

*Booktalk script:

"There is a book for every mood, don’t you think? When I feel down, I like to read books about people with problems worse than mine – it makes me just feel better about my situation and I can appreciate what is going right in my life instead of focusing on what’s wrong. When I feel disconnected to the world I like to read books that make me feel connected and stories that inspire me and make me want to be a better person to those around me. Wonder by R.J. Palacio came to me at the exact perfect time! It has inspired me immensely and I am excited to share a little bit about this book with you all today.I want you to imagine…it’s your first day of school. You are going to a brand new school – the first you’ve ever attended because you were homeschooled up until now and it’s 5th grade. I want you to imagine walking with your brand new backpack and school clothes into a room of dozens and dozens of kids that you don’t know. People are giving you funny looks, you feel awkward and out of place. You feel scared and alone and…you just want to go home. I know you all know what that feels like – whether it’s a first day at school or a strange place or a party of strangers…it takes courage to deal with a situation like that. Now imagine that you are August Pullman (or Auggie as he calls himself). Auggie is in that exact situation…except kids not only stare, they bring their hands over their mouths in horror, they nudge each other and talk behind cupped palms, they turn around with surprised faces and walk in the opposite direction. Auggie was born with what’s called craniofacial abnormalities. He has a deformed face and has had countless surgeries in his short life to try and correct his appearance, but he still looks very different than most of us. His eyes are a little low on his face, he has no real ears and his mouth is much smaller than it should be. But inside, Auggie is just a normal kid. He’s a little short and kinda geeky – he loves Star Wars and video games. He has a very sarcastic sense of humor and a sly wit. Wonder is about Auggie’s fifth grade school year. It chronicles his fears and struggles among his new classmates and teachers as well as his life at home with his very supportive (but a little over-protective) parents and older sister. He makes a few new friends, questions some of his friends’ real motives and dodges the school bullies while trying to ignore the odd looks and rude comments as best as he can. But Auggie is an old pro at being noticed.The author writes through Auggies’ perspective: “It's like people you see sometimes, and you can't imagine what it would be like to be that person, whether it's somebody in a wheelchair or somebody who can't talk. Only, I know that I'm that person to other people, maybe to every single person (I meet). To me, though, I'm just me. An ordinary kid.” But Wonder presents a character in Auggie that really is anything but ordinary. Auggie has tremendous wisdom and courage for someone his age. He has had some struggles but has learned so much about other people and himself. Wonder is partially written through Auggie’s perspective, but alternates chapters with other characters’ points of view as well. There are chapters from his 14 year old sister Via’s point of view, as well as friends like Summer and Justin. So by alternating perspectives, the author allows us to see not only through Auggie’s eyes, but to see how Auggie influences the people around him. Auggie’s not perfect. He can be over-sensitive and has a hot temper…he doesn’t always say the right thing. BUT…he has a tremendous impact on those around him during that one school year. To quote the author and Auggie again: “The best way to measure how much you've grown isn't by inches or the number of laps you can now run around the track, or even your grade point average-- though those things are important, to be sure. It's what you've done with your time, how you've chosen to spend your days, and whom you've touched this year. That, to me, is the greatest measure of success.” Auggie touches a lot of lives over the course of his fifth grade school year. And an event occurs on a school field trip that causes some of his bullying classmates to think twice about Auggie and their own behavior. The need for kindness is a major theme throughout this book and Auggie’s teacher quotes Dr. Wayne W. Dyer in front of the class: “When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind”. Wonder by R.J. Palacio exemplifies that message."

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